Overedge stitch forming mechanism for sewing machines



June-21, 1932- F. F. ZEIER 1,864,391

OVEREDGE STITCH FORMING MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Oct. 9, 1929 9Sheets-Sheet l June 21, 1932. ZEIER 1,864,391

OVEREDGE STITCH FORMING MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Oct. 9', 1929 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 u- M H I!!! June 21, 1932. F. F. ZEIER 1,864,391

OVEREDGE STITCH FORMING MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Oct. 9, 1929. 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Mil A 4 June 21, 1932'. F. F. ZElE R 1,864,391

OVER EDGE STITCH FORMING MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Oct. 9, 1929 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 H W R F. F. ZEIER "1,864,391

OVEREDGE STITCH FORMING MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES June 21,1932.

Filed 001.. 9, 1929 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 21, 1932. ZEIER 1,864,391

OVEREDGE STITCH FORMING MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Oct. 9, 1929 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 ra NEIG- June 21, 1932. 3515; 1,864,391

OVEREDGE STITCH FORMING MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Oct. 9, 19 29 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 June 21, 1932. F. F. ZEIER 1,864,391

QVEREDGE STITCH FORMING MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Oct-9, 1929 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 F. F. ZEIER June 21, 1932.

OVEREDGE STITCH FORMING MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Oct. 9, 1929 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 gwuenfoz dbtomq S Patented June 21, 1932 UNITED STATESPATEN'T 0mm 1 FREDERICK F. ZEIER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO UNION SPECIAL MACHINE COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS OVEREDGE STITCH FORMING MECHANISM son snwme MACHINES Application filed October 9, 1929. Serial No. 398,356.

The invention relates to new and useful improvements in an overedge stitch forming mechanism for sewing machines, and more particularly to the actuating mechanisms for 5 the under looper and the overedge looper.

An object of the invention is to provide an overedge stitching forming mechanism wherein the loopers are actuated by independent trains of devices from an auxiliary tially uniform oscillating movement to said looper. V

A still further object of the invention is to provide an overedge stitch forming mechanism of the above type wherein the train of devices for operating the overedge looper is so arranged and disposed as to impart a substantially uniform oscillation to said looper. 7

These and other 'objects will in part be obvious and will in part be hereinafter more fully disclosed.

In the drawings which show by way of illustration one embodiment of theinvention:

Figure 1 is a view from the end of the work support showing a machine embodying the improvements, the cover plate being removed and parts broken away to show the mechanism. I

Fig. 2 is a view partly in front elevation and partly in section showing the support for the needle and main actuating shaft, and also showing the loopers and the actuating mechanism therefor.

Fig. 3 is a view on'an enlarged scale from the end of the machinewith. parts-broken actuating shaft which in turn is oscillated away to show the actuating. devices for the loopers and the feed dog.

Fig. l is a view partly in section and partly in plan showing the looper actuating mechanism beneath the work support.

F i 5 is a view partly in section from the rear of the machine showing the overedge looper and the mechanism for actuating the same. 1 v

Fig. 6-is a view partly in section from the rear of the machine showing'the under looper and the mechanism for actuating the same.

Fig. 7 is a view partly in section from the front of the machine showing both the under looper and the overedge looper, said loopers bein in their retracted position.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 but showing the loopers as intheir forward position.

Fig. 9 isa view from the front of the machine showing the under looper and the thread controlling arm carried thereby, said looper being retracted.

Fig. v10' is a similar view showing the'looper at the forward'end of its stroke.

,Fig. 11 is a view from the front of the machine showing the overedge looper in retracted position.

' Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11 showing the underedge looper at the forward end of its stroke.

Fig. 13'is a view partly in section and partly in side elevation from the rear of the machine showing the means for oscillating the auxiliary actuating shaft beneath the work support, also for oscillating the looper shaft carrying the overedge looper.

Fig. 14v is a view partly in section and partly in plan of the parts shown in Fig. 13.

The invention is directed to an overedge stitch forming mechanism for sewing machines, and as shown, is embodied in a machine having the main actuating shaft disposed above'the plane of the work support and located in rear of the stitching point so as to extend in the general direction of the feed. The shaft is preferably inclined so as to facilitate the reciprocation of the needle bar which is likewise inclined. All of the ac tuating parts beneath the work support are operated'from this actuating shaft by direct connections with the eccentrically set members on the actuating shaft. One of the eccentrically set members is connected directly to the feed rocker for oscillating the same; another is connected to the feed bar adjacent the free end thereof for raising and lowering the same; and still another is connected to an auxiliary actuating shaft for the looper mechanisms, which auxiliary shaft is located beneath the work support. This auxiliary shaft has a uniform oscillation imparted thereto by this connection with the eccentric on the mainrotating actuating shaft.

The overedge stitch forming mechanism includes a needle carried by the needle bar, an under looper which may be either a thread carrying or non-thread carrying looper, and an overedge looper which may also be of a thread carrying or non-thread carrying type. The under looper is oscillated by a link connection with an arm carried by the auxiliary actuating shaft. The overedge looper is likewise oscillated by a link connection with an arm carried by the auxiliary actuating shaft. These arms and links are so disposed that the oscillations imparted to the loopers are substantially uniform and timed so that the under looper cooperates with the needle beneath the work support, and the overedge looper cooperates with the under looper and with the needle above the work support.

When the loopers are thread carrying loopers then a thread controlling arm is associated with the looper for taking up the thread loops and a thread controlling arm is also preferably provided for pulling thread from the supply for the overedge looper.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the machine embodying the invention includes a supporting base 1 on which is mounted a work support 2. The material is held on the work support by a presser foot 3 and is fed across the work support by a feed dog 4 carried by a feed bar 5. The feed bar 5 is pivoted at 6 to a feed rocker 7. Carried by the bed 1 is a standard 8. This standard is located at one side of the line of feed and in rear of the stitching point, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. The standard is provided with projecting members 9, 9 which are provided with suitable bearings for the main actuating shaft 10. The main'actuating shaftlOis rotated by a suitable belt wheel 11.

Mounted on this shaft 10 is an eccentric 12. Cooperating with the eccentric 12 is an eccentric strap 13 and this eccentric strap. 13 is connected to a ball stud 14 carried by an arm 15 which is attached to the feed rocker. Thus it is that the eccentric 12 oscillates the feed rocker and imparts back and forth movements to the feed dog. Mounted on the main shaft 10 is an eccentric 16. Cooperating with the eccentric 16 is an eccentric strap 17. This eccentric strap 17 is connected at 18 to a lever 19 carrying the trimming blade 20 of the trimming mechanism. Also connected at 18 to this lever is a link 21 which is attached at 22 to the feed bar for raising and lowering the feed bar. Thus it is that the feeding mechanism receives its movements from the main'actuating shaft and the trimmer also is actuated therefrom.

For purpose of illustration a single feed dog has been shown in the drawings; it will be understood, however, that a differential feeding mechanism may be actuated by the movements of the feed bar. The parts re ferred to in detail above form no part of the present invention but are shown described and claimed in the patent granted Norman V. Christensen and'myself, jointly, March 25, 1930, No. 1,751,508.

The present invention is directed more particularly to the stitch forming mechanism used in this machine when the machine is equipped for overedging. The stitch forming mechanism includes a needle 23 carried by a needle bar 2 1 which is reciprocated by a link 25 connected to a crank on the end of the main shaft 10. This link in turn is connected to a stud carried by a lug attached to the needle bar. Cooperating with the needle beneath the work support 2 is an under looper 26 which, as shown in the drawings, is provided with an eye 27 and is a thread carrying looper. Cooperating with this looper 26 and with the needle above the work support is an overedge looper 28 which is likewise shown as provided with an eye 29 and is a thread carrying looper. It will-be understood that non-thread carrying loopers may be substituted for either of these thread carrying loopers without departing'from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 1 i

The invention is directed particularly to the mechanism for actuating these loopers 26 and 28. Mounted on the main actuating shaft 10 is an eccentric member 30. Cooperating with said eccentric member 30 is an eccentric strap 31. This eccentric strap 31 as clearly shown in Figs. 13 and H is connected at its lower end to a ball stud 32 mounted on an upstanding bracket 33 cari ried by an arm 34E provided with a split sleeve 34a clamped to a shaft 35 by means of a screw 3%. The shaft 35 is the auxiliary actuating shaft. It is'mounted in suitable bearings 35a, 35av beneath the cloth plate 2 and extends in a direction substantially parallel with the line of feed and at the right of the line of feed as viewed from the front of the machine (see Fig. 2).

On the end of the ball stud 32 is a projection 36. The eccentric strap carries a forked arm 37 which straddles this extension 36 and this prevents the eccentric strap from undue wobbling on the ball stud 32. As the main shaft rotates this eccentric strap 31 will impart uniform oscillations to 'the shaft .35.

The under looper 26 is fixed to a supporting carrier 38. This carrier for the under looper is fixed to a shaft 39 mounted in suitable bearings 39a, 39a carried by the bed-plate and extending in a direction parallelwith the line of feed and at the right of the line of feed as viewed from the front of'the machine (see Fig. 2). This shaft is quite close to the auxiliary actuating shaft 35. Mounted on the forward end of the auxiliary actuating shaft is an arm 40. The arm 40 is carried by a split sleeve 40a which is clamped to the end of the shaft. The arm 40 overhangs the carrier 38 for .the looper 26. A link 41 forked at its upper and lower ends is connected to the .arm 40 at 42 and to the carrier 38 at 43. When the shaft 35 oscillates it will impart oscillations to the arm 40 and this through the link 41 will impart oscillations to the carrier '38 and thus the looper 26 is oscillated.

It will be noted that the link 41 remains in substantially the same angular relation with respect to the arm 40 during its entire movement. Thus it is that motions imparted to the looper 26 are substantially uniform oscillating motions. The link 41 is connected to the carrier 38 at a point adjacent the pivotal support of the carrier 38 which is the axis of the shaft 39. Therefore, the movements imparted to the arm 40 will be multiplied and a relatively short movement of the arm 40 will give a relatively long path of movement tothe looper 26. It will also move the looper quickly, and, therefore, the looper is moved quickly back and forth throughout the extent of its oscillations and given, of course, the usual dwell at the end of its movements.

The looper 26 is mounted in a socket in the carrier 38 and is held therein by a set screw 44. The looper may be readily changed or the position of its point varied by loosening this screw 44. The looper in its movements merely oscillates back and forth and has no lateral movement. It moves in rear of the path of the needle.

The overedge looper 29 is secured to a looper carrier 45 by means of a. clamping screw 46.

The carrier 45 is clamped to a shaft 47 This shaft 47 is mounted in suitable bearings 48, 48 carried by the bed plate 1 of the machine (see Fig. 4). The carrier 45 is rigidly secured to a split sleeve 49 and this sleeve is clam ed to the shaft 47 by means of a screw 50. n the inner end of the shaft 47 there is a split sleeve 51 which is clamped to the shaft 47 by a screw 52. This sleeve is provided with a depending arm 53. A link 54 has its ends forked and one end thereof is connected at 55 to the arm 34, while the other end is connected at 56 to the arm 53. Thus it is that when the shaft 35 is oscillated by the eccentric strap 31 the link 54 will impart oscillations to the shaft 47 and the shaft 47 will in turn impart oscillations to the looper -overedge looper will be 29. While the arm 34 is relatively long the arm 53 is relatively short, and, therefore, when the shaft 35 is oscillated the moved quickly from one extreme of its movement to the otherextreme thereof. When the looper 29 is at the rear end of its stroke, the link 54 is at a slightly greater angle to a line passing through the center of the shaft 35 and the pivotal connection 55 than when the looper is at the forward en d of its stroke, as clearly shown in Figs. 7, 8, 11 and 12. As a result the looper will be given a slightly accelerated movement as it moves forward in its oscillations.

\Vhen the loopers are thread carrying loopers it is sometimes desirable to provide the thread controlling devices therefor. In Fig.

5 of the drawings the carrier 45 for the over- Said arm is secured to the thread arm 60 fixed to the carrier 38 for the 5 under looper 26 (see Fig. 6). This thread guides are associated with the thread arm 60 so that as the looper carrier oscillates the eye'6l will move away from the thread guides when the looper is retracted, thustaking up thelooper thread as slack is given thereto and drawing up on the loops for the setting of the stitches. These two thread arms, as described, take up the slack in the looper threads on the retracting movement of the loopers and aid in thesetting of the stitches. There is also a third thread arm indicated at 62 in Figs. 13 and 14 of the drawings. The thread arm 62 is attached to the sleeve 51 mounted on the shaft 47. As the shaft oscilla tes the thread arm '62 will also oscillate. This thread arm is provided with a thread eye 63. Associated with the thread arm 62 are suitable guides so disposed that the thread arm will operate to pull thread "through the tension from the supply for the overedge looper as said looper is on its rear stroke. This occurs at the same time that the thread arm on the looper carrier for the looper is pulling on the thread. These thread arms not only aid in the setting of the stitches, but also provide threadfor the proper formation of thread loops.

The thread controlling mechanism referred to briefly and shown only diagrammatically in some of the figures of the drawings forms no part of the present invention which is directed to the mechanism for operating the loopers, and other thread controlling means 'may be provided for this stitch forming tion so that each looper is given the desired oscillation independently of the other looper, and, therefore, the timing of one looper does not in any way affect the timingof the other looper, as is the case where one looperis actuated from another. a 7

It is obvious that minor changes in the details of construction and the arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Having fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is '1. The combination of a work support, a main rotating actuating shaft disposed above the work sup ort, an auxiliary oscillating actuating sha t located beneath the plane of the work support, a needle actuated by said main rotating shaft, an under looper coopcrating with the needle beneath the work support, a shaft on which said under looper is mounted, an arm shiftably mounted on said oscillating shaft and connected to said looper for oscillating the same, an overedge looper, a shaft on which said overedge looper is mounted, devices operated by said main shaft for oscillating said auxiliary shaft, and devices operated by said auxiliary shaft for oscillating said overedge looper.

2. The combination of a work support, a main rotating actuating shaft, an auxiliary oscillating actuating shaft located beneath the plane of the work support, devices operated by said rotating shaft for oscillating the auxiliary shaft, a needle actuated by said main rotating shaft, an overedge looper mounted on a shaft disposed beneath the work support, said looper being shiftably mounted upon said shaft, devices for operating said overedge looper from said auxiliary shaft, an under looper cooperating with the needle beneath the work support, and means operated from said auxiliary shaft for oscillating said under looper.

The combination of a work support, a main rotating actuating shaft, an auxiliary oscillating actuating shaft located beneath the plane of the work support, devices operated by said rotating shaft for oscillating the auxiliary shaft, a needle actuated by said main rotating shaft, an overedge looper mounted on a shaft disposed beneath the work support, said looper beingshiftably mounted upon said shaft, devices for operating said ove'redge looper from said auxiliary shaft, an under looper cooperating with the needle beneath the work support, means operated from said auxiliary shaft for oscillating said under looper, said last-named means including an arm shiftably attached to said auxiliary shaft, and a link connecting said arm to the under looper. v

4. The combination of a work support, a main rotating actuating shaft located above the work support, a needle actuated by said main rotating shaft, an auxiliary oscillating actuating shaft located beneath the plane of the work support and supported in spaced bearings, an overedge looper, a shaft supported in spaced bearings on which said overedge looper is mounted, said looper being mounted between said spaced bearings and shiftably connected to said shaft, a second shaft mounted in spaced bearings beneath the work support, an under looper fixed to said shaft and located between said spaced bearings, devices operated by said rotating shaft for oscillating said auxiliary shaft, devices operated by said auxiliary shaft for oscillating the shaft carrying the overedge looper, and devices operated by said auxiliary shaft for oscillating the under looper.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

FREDERICK F. ZEIER. 

